1. What was immigration like during the Gilded Age?

2. From 1880 to 1921, a record 23 million immigrants arrived in the U. S
From 1880 to 1921, a record 23 million immigrants arrived in the U.S. looking for jobs and opportunities
The USA did not have quotas (limits) on how many immigrants from a particular country could enter the country
From 1880 to 1921, a record setting 23 million immigrants arrived in the USA. At the time,.
From the colonial era to 1880, most immigrants to America came from England, Ireland, or Germany in Northern Europe. Between 1880 and 1921, approximately 70% of all immigrants entering the USA came from southern and eastern Europe (Italy, Austria-Hungary, Russia, Poland).
These “new immigrants” were typically young, male, and either Catholic or Jewish. Most spoke little or no English. The majority were unskilled agricultural laborers with little money or education.

3. From the colonial era to 1880, most immigrants came from England, Ireland, or Germany in Northern Europe
Between 1880 and 1921, 70% of all immigrants to the USA came from southern and eastern Europe (Italy, Poland, Austria-Hungary, Russia)
The “new immigrants” were typically young, male, either Catholic or Jewish, and spoke little or no English
The majority were unskilled agricultural laborers with little money or education

4. 75% of all immigrants entered the USA through the immigration center at Ellis Island, in New York
Immigrants had to pass a health examination and anyone with a serious health problem or disease was not let in
Inspectors questioned immigrants to make sure that they were not criminals, could work, and had some money ($25)
The processing of immigrants on Ellis Island was an ordeal that might take five hours or more. First, they.
Those who passed the medical exam then reported to a government inspector. The

5. Many Americans expressed nativism and viewed immigrants with a sense of fear, suspicion, and hostility
Nativists had deep- seated prejudices about immigrants based on ethnicity, religion, political and social beliefs
Many Americans accused immigrants of taking jobs away from “real” Americans and called for quotas that would limit the number of immigrants

6. What were cities like in the Gilded Age?

7. The Gilded Age experienced massive urbanization
In 1850, only 15% of Americans lived in cities…
City growth was due to rural Americans moving to cities and immigrants entering the USA
…By 1900, 40% of Americans lived in cities

8. Engineering innovations, such as expansive bridges and skyscrapers, led to modern American cities
Cities expanded outward from industrial centers in the central business districts to a ring of outer suburbs
As cities grew larger and beyond walking distance, trolley lines, elevated rail lines, and subways were created

9. Most American cities were not prepared for such rapid population growth
Many urban poor developed lung disease or tuberculosis; About 60% of immigrant babies died before their first birthday
Most urban immigrants lived in tenements: low rent apartments built the poorest parts of town called slums
Half of Manhattan’s fires were in tenement buildings.

10. About 2/3 of immigrants settled in cities, such as New York, Chicago, Boston, or Philadelphia and lived in ethnic neighborhoods called enclaves
Enclaves provided new immigrants with a sense of community and security, as the immigrants were surrounded by the familiar customs, food and language of their homeland

11. What were working conditions like in the Gilded Age?

12. The majority of immigrants worked in industrial jobs
Industries were rapidly growing and in need of cheap workers
Most immigrants were unskilled and were willing to accept almost any kind of job, no matter how un-attractive or low paying

13. What problems did government face in the Gilded Age?

14. The Gilded Age was an era of political corruption in national, state, and urban governments

15. Many city governments were run by political machines
Political machines were parties led by a powerful boss who controlled a network of politicians
Machines politicians rallied citizens, especially immigrants, to vote for them by offering services

16. Many city governments were run by political machines
Because machine politicians controlled access to city jobs, business licenses, and building projects, they tended to be corrupt
Many politicians used fraud to win elections, used their influence for personal gain (graft), or took bribes
The most notorious urban politician was Boss Tweed of New York’s Tammany Hall political machine
“Tweed Courthouse”—NY County Courthouse was supposed to cost $250,000 but cost $13 million
The “Tweed Ring” defrauded New York City of millions of dollars until it was exposed by reporter Thomas Nast

17. Many government positions,such as tax collectors or post office officials, were appointed as rewards for loyalty to a political party (called patronage)
Congress passed the Pendleton Act in 1883 that created merit-based exams for most civil service jobs in the federal government

18. In the Gilded Age, presidents were seen as less powerful than monopolists like Carnegie, JP Morgan, and Rockefeller

19. Grant was the most important president of the era, but his administration was plagued by scandals
The worst scandal was Crédit Mobilier which involved bribes by railroad companies to gain lands grants
Whiskey Ring involved companies bribing government officials to avoid paying taxes

20. What was leisure time in the Gilded Age?

21. While working and living conditions were difficult for poor immigrants, middle-class Americans actually saw their work time decrease
Many middle-class Americans fought off city congestion and their jobs by enjoying amusement parks, bicycling, vaudeville theater (variety shows), and sports such as baseball and boxing

22. The industrial revolution created jobs in Eastern factories
Conclusions: During the Gilded Age, the United States was a land of opportunity
Millions of “new immigrants” swarmed to the U.S. from Eastern and Southern Europe, swelling American cities
The industrial revolution created jobs in Eastern factories
Urbanization stimulated industry and modernized cities, but led to terrible conditions for poor workers and immigrants

23. Identify the top 5 changes of the Gilded Age Rank order and be ready to explain your list